Time For College Football

The Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan opened their 2016 season tonight at Stevenson University just outside of Baltimore and Bishops head coach Jeff Filkovski sent sophomore quarterback Nathan Gardner to the shotgun and the first quarter could not have been worse for Gardner.  His first pass was almost intercepted, a completion of 15 yards to preseason All American Malik Adams two interceptions and before the half a third int.  Stevenson put 20 points on the board and 13 came on drives that covered less than 10 yards each.

Despite all that the Battling Bishops held together including a Bobby Tucker pick and Gardner got his
Composure and the Bishops scored on a five yard run by Gerrel Patton and two touchdown tosses by Gardner to Brandon Leake 38 yards and Malik Adams 38 yards the Bishops led at the half 21-20.  Gardner hit 11-21 passes in the half covering 177 yards.

The third quarter started as the first but Stevenson joined Gardner with an interception and fumble while Gardner threw two more picks in the first four minutes of the third.  Once again The Bishops drive to the Stevenson 20 where on fourth and one the Stevenson defense cause a seven yard lost.  They took the new life and drive the field to take with a two point conversion a 28-21 lead.

Malik Adams gave the Maryland crowd a view of an All American catching his second touchdown on a 32 yarder over his head to tie the game.  The game went into the fourth quarter tied  and for the sixth time Nathan Gardner was picked and the result was a 37 yard pick six.  The clock was running down to three minutes and all night long the Battling Bishops defense kept the the Bishops with a chance but on a third and 22 and you know Stevenson will run to keep the clock ticking they broke a 52 yard run for a touchdown to seal a 42-28 victory.

Because high school football took center stage last night here is my college picks for the week.

Yes there is Friday football  and it is upstate New York.  Syracuse opens with a victory over Colgate 38-21

Today the ACC has it's first conference game of the year and it begins at Boston College as the home team but the game is in Dublin Ireland.  The Rambling Wreck of Georgia Tech takes on the Eagles. BC 27 Georgia Tech 23

Florida A&M greets Miami's new coach. Miami 44 FAM 16

Many people expect Clemson in the football playoffs.  They won't be if they lose at Auburn.  Clemson 36 Auburn 28

Carolina begins the season in Atlanta meeting Georgia in Georgia Dome.  New coach in Athens  but the Dogs still win the opener.  Georgia 35 Carolina 31

North Carolina Central makes the walk over to Duke to begin the season.  Might need to ride the bus back Duke 41 Central 16

New boss in town in Blacksburg and Liberty is first in line.  Gobblers win opener 38-23

Richmond travels up I-64 to UVA and this will be a battle Virginia 33 Richmond 28

Villanova makes a visit  across the the state of PA to meet Pittsburgh who made a move towards the top in the division and they open with a win 36 -13

There is a game on Sunday when Notre Dame goes  to Big D to take on Texas.  The Fighting Irish open with a Erin 32-22

Monday ends the first weekend of college football with a team that seems to always be the Labor Day Monday night player Florida State.  If FSU wants to make it to the final four playoff they can't afford to lose this game being played in Orlando  against a high rising team Mississippi.  This could be a dog fight.  FSU36 Mississippi 33